Improvement in seeders



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noBERIB. TUNsTALL, or NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

Letters PatentNo. 91,386, dated .Tune 15, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEEDERS.

The Schedule referred to, in these Letters Patent and making part ot'- the same.

To all whom it may concern Be it known, that I, ROBERT B. TUNs'rALL, of Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk, and State of Virginia, have invented a new and improved Seeder and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and-use the same, reference being had to the ,accompanying drawings, forming part 'of this specification',

This invention relates to improvements`in seedingmachines, designed to provide a simple and eicient hand-apparatus for sowing and covering small seeds, and arranged to be adjusted for sowing thicker' or thinner, as required; also for seeds of various sizes. .f'

The invention consists in the arrangementMn-pon a vehicle resembling a common wheelbarrpwaithout a box, of a seeding-wheel, having I i-um'rous seedingchambers radiating from the centre, and having adjustable openings at the periphery for dischargingr the seed, which is rotatedbyf-gearing with the axle of the supporting-wheel, which is made heavy, and forms the drill or groove for the seed, A chain and roller 'are applied, for covering and pressing the seed, all as hereinafter 'more fully specified.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved machine; f

lFigure 2 represents'a plan view of the same; and

Figures 3 and 4 represent details.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents a seeding-wheel, mounted transversely on a wheelbarrow-shaped vehicle, and deriving rotary motion from the shaft, of the wheel B, on which the machine rolls, and which is made of heavy material, and shaped in the face so as to readily form the groove or drill for the seed.

The seed-wheel A is `provided with numerous seedchambers, C, radiating from the centre, and opening through the periphery for discharging the seed. These chambers are preferably covered on the outer face with glass, to enable the operator to see the seed,

The openings in the periphery of the wheel are designed to be varied iu their capacity to deliver seed, by detachable perforated plates, E, having openings of`various sizes, and arranged to be readily connected to the wheel by staples, F, projecting from the periphery (1f/the said wheel, under which the reduced ends Gwof the plates are engaged, and the buttons H, projecting from the wheel, and lpassing through slots ,infthe said plates.

The wheel A maybe driven faster or slower, as required, by suitable cone-pulleys or other means.

For covering the seed, I provide a chain, I, so arranged as to drag along thegroove after the wheel A, to cover the seed; and behind this chain, I arrange a roller, R, suspended in arms from the frame, to roll over the drill or groove, and pack the ground upon the seed. f

Having thus described my invention,

1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent-y 1. The combination of the seed-wheel A with the Wheel B and supporting-frame, all substantially as specified.

2. The seed-wheel A, constructed as described, and provided with the detachable plates E, substantially as specified.

3, The combination, with the wheel A, arranged and operated as described, of the chain and roller, ar-

Witnesses:

ROBT. T. BAYLoR, T. W. HENDERSON. 

